Epitrix fasciata
Blatchley, 1918
banded epitrix, Southern Tobacco Flea Beetle
Epitrix fasciata is a of flea beetle in the Chrysomelidae. Commonly known as the banded epitrix or Southern Tobacco Flea Beetle, this species has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents. The species is associated with economically significant plants including potato, tobacco, tomato, and eggplant.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Epitrix fasciata: /ɛpɪˈtrɪks fæʃɪˈɑːtə/
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Distribution
Caribbean, Central America, North America (Mexico, USA), Oceania (Hawaii, Society Islands), South America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela). The has been recorded from Pacific islands including Hawaii and the Society Islands.
Host Associations
- Solanum tuberosum - feeds onpotato
- Nicotiana - feeds ontobacco
- Solanum lycopersicum - feeds ontomato
- Solanum melongena - feeds onbrinjal/eggplant
Human Relevance
The is considered an agricultural pest due to its association with economically important solanaceous crops: potato, tobacco, tomato, and eggplant. Damage to these crops has been documented across its broad geographic range.
Similar Taxa
- Epitrix parvulaSynonymized with E. fasciata; historical confusion in
- Other Epitrix speciesMembers of this share similar flea beetle and associations with solanaceous plants; specific differentiation requires detailed examination
More Details
Nomenclatural history
The has been referred to as Epitrix parvula (F.) in some literature, indicating historical taxonomic confusion or synonymy with that name.